DIY 5 Panel Wink Mirror install WITHOUT removing visors
 

Here is my step by step installation of the 5 panel Wink Mirror for my frs. I originally followed a guide by 87_Sivik_Si on http://honda-tech.com/honda-civic-de...isors-2840942/ but made quite a few adjustments to fit my frs.

I started by making the brackets that will attach to the sun visors. I found some small L brackets laying around the garage. You can get them at any home depot or lowes. They measure about 2 1/2 inches on each edge.

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...psn0x8axxk.jpg

The holes in these brackets already line up perfectly with the screws in the visors. The only problem is they have to be slightly longer so that they do not get in the way when the visor is pulled down.

To get around this, I flattened them out.

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...psleypggzc.jpg

Next, measure 3/4 inches from the center of the bracket and make a new bend.

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...psma2ddmqf.jpg

The brackets are now long enough to clear the visor. (this will be easier to understand just keep reading!)

I then chopped off the excess and rounded it off to make it look clean. Also, the hole in this small lip must be bored out with a 1/4 inch drill bit.

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...pshljmm4as.jpg

Next, remove the original screws in the visor. Replace them with some longer ones to compensate for the new width with the brackets.

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...psrf9bka3l.jpg

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...pszgyv66n4.jpg

As you can see, the bend of the bracket allows the visor to fold up and down freely.

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...pscygqhbzn.jpg

Now for the bracket that will connect the mirror to the last bracket we made.

Start with a piece of 1 inch aluminum flat bar. Cut it to 11 inches. Mark off at 1 inch and 5 inches, this is where we will bend it.

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...psyzntiy6r.jpg

I rounded the edges and drilled 1/4 inch holes.

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...psabrdkyr5.jpg

Next I used a vise to make the bends. Both bends are actually SLIGHTLY bent more than 90 degrees. I would say maybe 87 degrees or so.

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6wt049su.jpg

Now I used a counter sink drill bit to counter sink one side. (Make sure you do the right side!)

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...psulo7u6cc.jpg

This is done to allow more space for the visor to flip up and down. You will be using a 1/4 inch screw to fit in its place.

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...psxjgsnikv.jpg

Here is how everything will screw together

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...psoavclxhe.jpg

This is where the brackets will connect. Also, here is proof you can still use your sun visors with this installation method.

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...psq2e47iju.jpg

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...psjfzefm0x.jpg

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...psfny6w2gy.jpg

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...pstai0uksu.jpg

I had some trouble getting a clear shot from the drivers seat. The mirrors look a lot more flush in person.

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...psm38qftn4.jpg

I read a lot of reviews that this mirror begins to warp in the summer heat. Then I found this out first hand.. So I fixed up some aluminum flat bar to prevent that.

I marked off where to chop it so it would be the same length as the mirror.

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...psyxfv1loi.jpg

Both of them chopped and ready to be painted/glued.

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...psfvfxjhro.jpg

Here you can see it painted and clamped to the mirror. I used Rustoleum Paint and Primer in One. IMPORTANT in the picture I used JB Weld. The glue failed to hold up when I was installing the mirror and I had to completely make new ones. Make sure to sand the mirror where the brackets will be glued thoroughly. I used a 220 grit the second time around and switched to Loctite Heavy Duty Epoxy

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...pslcrgkf79.jpg

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5bsp8xmd.jpg

Not my cup of tea, but great job at designing and assembly! Looks really well put together

What is the purpose of such an atrocity? lol

I didn't know they still made wink mirrors. I used to have one in my Ranger, back in my minitruck days. Do they still have the louvered panels for the front side?

Thanks bfsnail! I wasn't sure how I felt about these mirrors for the longest time but my friend kept pushing me to try it and I love it.

The visibility with this thing is AMAZING. I can see if there is anyone in my blind spot with just a glance.

Yup they still make them. You can find pretty much anything on Amazon.com
This particular mirror is actually flat on the front side. Not sure about the louvered panels but I think I have an idea of what you mean.

I haven't found a picture yet, but the louver panel came in chrome, red, or blue, and slide over the back (non mirror side), and had louvers punched in it. It served no other purpose, than to add a shiny bit, lol.

You can kinda see the mirror I had in my truck.
https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...02&oe=55EE03C1

More visibility is always good, but are these dimmable? What happens when a lifted truck is cruising behind you on the highway at night? Also seems like using a sun visor will be slightly more difficult. At least if you want to install a dash cam in your car, you can hide it in the mirror without it being obvious.

I like it. I always enjoyed making brackets out of aluminium stock. I made some for a gas cylinder to lift my engine lid on my mr2. Might have to do the same thing again for a hood prob on the brz...

i wouldnt mind a few more pics of finished. especially showing your view while driving. installed looks clean, especially painting black. ive thought about this but couldnt do it hahah. would be so much view, butttttttttt

Hah that sounds pretty cool ill have to check it out.

and thats a cool little truck you got there Gunman what is it?

I've thought about this same issue before I purchased my mirror. It hasn't happened to me yet, but hopefully my tint will help dim out the light. The mirror definitely takes some getting used to as you can see EVERYTHING behind you, and then some. It's like when your playing those racing video games and you hold the button to get a view behind you. That's how I feel when I look in the mirror hahah. As for the visors, they only go down until the the mirror gets in the way, but it's enough to block out the sun.

This was my first time working with it and it's great. Easy to work with and you can end up with some professional looking stuff.

Ill take some more pictures when I drive to work and post them up tonight. I know how you feel though, I was on the fence about installing one of these for the longest time but you got to try everything once! I don't think I'll go back. Just to be able to see cars in my blind spot very clearly with just a glance is incredible.

sorry, I ment a sunshield; the big foil one that keeps the sun from baking your dash while you are parked.

1988 Ford Ranger. I sold it a few years ago.
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...a4&oe=55EE65B2
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...89&oe=5602A98E

Not a big fan of the wink mirrors. I have used the Allview mirror in my last two race cars, and love them. They are convex in only one plane, so you don't lose the ability to judge distance. Huge field of view in a smaller package.

http://www.allviewmirror.com/ram.htm

Ohh okay. Yes it takes a bit longer to squeeze the shade behind the mirror but its really not that bad.

that thing is cool. love the suicide doors

Ive never seen those before. I was actually looking around to see if they even made mirrors that large on one plane. I'll have to give them a shot next time

This looks awful.

thanks brianhj! I honestly love how not that many people like it cause I know I'll be the only one rocking it :D

No, you'll just be the only one rocking one that looks this terrible :D

Because racecar

Used to have one on my 81 corolla. Loved it. If I ever got one though with this car, I would have to go full retro to make it feel right to me. Great job designing brackets for it.

updated with a couple more finished pictures @Jake_86 sorry for the lag

I installed mine with my visors off. But the mirrors don't line up to make a straight flush view. It's like a stair. Lol. Is it too close to me? Does it need to be adjust away from the driver?

My guess is it is probably too close to you. I didnt like how the brackets that come with the kit put the mirror right up close to your face. It definitely needs to be pushed forward in my opinion.

Clean install. But not for me, reminds me of the Honda civic guys

I installed mine this past weekend.
I bought the mounting kit - much nicer IMO.
The back of the mirror housing has 2 threaded holes that these fit right into.
Zero blind spots now :) I needed this after installing the teeny APR GT3 CF racing side mirrors lol
https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/images/L/5103.JPG

How do you like the mounting kit?? I was thinking of going that route before I fixed up these brackets. The reason I strayed away was because I read some reviews that said the glue couldn't hold the mirror in place and it would fall after going over some bumps. Especially with the added weight of the aluminum flat bar. (I just updated the DUI with pics) But if it works for you I definitely want to throw some in to prevent vibration.

They stick well so far.
Only issue is the piece that mounts onto the bracket stuck to the windshield on one side is misshapen and I thought it was slotted in well but I went over a bump and one end fell onto the dash :(
I'm going to take some sandpaper or a small file and correct it.
It's good that they have a screw you use to lock the arms onto the window mounts. As long as the adhesive holds, these things should hold fine.
In reality the whole Wink mirror doesn't weigh much at all it's just plastic with the five small panes of glass/mirror.

well i hope it all worked out for you man! got some pics for us to check out?

This setup looks cool and all, but after a while you will get sick of EVERYONE blinding you at night.

I havent had any issues as far as people blinding me but that may be because of my tint.
However, I dont like how the mirror blocks so much forward visibility. I often have to duck down and look under the mirror to see if the light turns green.
The other issue is vibration. I could probably eliminate it by using the window mounts but honestly I might be retiring my time with this mirror soon

So how much do I gotta pay you to get that bracket setup for me? PM ME..... When I bought my car a few years back I tried that same mounting kit from before and it wouldn't keep the mirrors in place and would fall right off.. Returned them, but think this is the most SURE way of mounting.